Nokia location technology will guide Toyota drivers

Toyota Motor Europe will use Nokia's mapping technology in its next-generation navigation and infotainment systems.

Toyota Motor Europe will use Nokia's mapping technology in its next-generation navigation and infotainment systems.

The car company will use a tailored packaging of Nokia's Here platform called Local Search for Automotive, which as the name suggests will give drivers access to mapping information and community-generated content, including ratings, reviews and images.

The first cars with Local Search are expected hit the road early next year in Europe, Russia and the Middle East, according to Toyota. The two companies will also collaborate on more services, Nokia said without delving into the details.

Nokia rebranded its location platform to Here in November, and has been working hard at signing up customers. So far it has landed deals with BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Hyundai. Oracle is onboard to use Nokia's mapping technology in its applications and Nokia is also responsible for the maps on Windows Phone 8.